The San Antonio Thanksgiving Cup will be held November 23-25, 2018 and is open to USYSA, US Club Soccer, Super Y League, and FIFA affiliated teams. It will be an exciting soccer tournament weekend hosting U9 through U19 boys and girls teams in the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Level Divisions. The Thanksgiving Cup will combine top-level competition with professional tournament organization – competitive bracketing, premium fields and top referees. All attending teams will be provided Home and Away Tents, Team Benches, Pro-Trainers, Refuel Stations, No Coaching Conflicts and a 3-Game Guarantee. The San Antonio Thanksgiving Cup promises to be one of the best tournament experiences in the Country.

Ages:

U9 (2010) - U10 (2009)U9 Development (2011)

Two 25 Minute Halves - 7v7 Entry Fee: $500

U11 (2008) - U12 (2007)U11 Development (2009)

Two 30 Minute Halves - 9v9Entry Fee: $550

U13 (2006) - U14 (2005)U13 Development (2007)

Two 30 Minute Halves - 11v11Entry Fee: $650

U15 (2004) - U19 (2000)

Two 35 Minute Halves - 11v11Entry Fee: $700

Fields:

Tournament Info & Rules

REGISTRATION:

Teams will register a minimum of one (1) hour prior to their first game of the tournament. The registration tent will be set up at the same soccer complex where their first game is played. The tournament will provide a printed roster from the teams GotSoccer application which will be used to match the Player/Identification Cards and Medical Release Forms.

U.S. teams must provide valid laminated Player I.D. Cards with photographs, and signed Medical Release Forms. USYSA teams must also provide approved Travel Papers which must include a roster listing of all players authorized to travel. Proper Player Loan Forms will be required at Registration along with other required credentials, as required by the team’s State Association.

U.S. teams registered through AYSO, Super Y League, USSF or US Club Soccer must provide the appropriate travel documentation (for US Club, approved roster from the US Club website) from the organization to which they are affiliated.

International teams must provide a certified Team Roster, League Identification Cards, Medical Release Forms, Travel Papers, and Passports.

Teams MAY NOT mix USYSA and US Club cards.

Once registration is complete, additional players may not be added. Players may only be rostered to one team.

Team rosters are limited to a maximum of twelve (12) players for U10, sixteen (16) players for U11-U12, eighteen (18) players for U13-U14, and twenty-two (22) players for U15-U19 teams.

Teams will check-in at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each scheduled game. A team representative must present the player cards to the designated Field Marshall. The Field Marshall will retain the team’s player cards until completion of the game. Each team manager or representative will be required to initial the game card before the player cards will be returned. A team who fails to properly check in with the Field Marshall will forfeit that game.

HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Home Team is listed first on the game schedule and is responsible to supply the game ball.

Home Team is to wear white/light uniforms.

If the referee declares a uniform color conflict, the Home Team will be required to change jerseys.

Home side of the field is the East and South side.No two teams will play from the same side of the field.

Fans/spectators will occupy the same side of the field as their team, which will be clearly marked; HOME and AWAY

PLAYERS' EQUIPMENT:

Teams will wear uniforms of matching design and color with a minimum of six-inch numbers affixed to the back of the uniform shirt.

The uniform of the goalkeeper must be distinctly different in color from the basic colors of both competing teams.

No two players may have identical uniform numbers while participating in any match.

No jewelry may be worn in competition.

Shin guards are mandatory for all players.

No player will be allowed to play with a hard cast (padded or otherwise), nor will any player be allowed to play with any brace (knee or otherwise) that contains exposed metal or hard plastic, unless it is wrapped with foam wrapping or protective coating.

REFEREE DECISIONS:

The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final. The referee may only change a decision on realizing that it is incorrect or, at his/her discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided, that he/she has not restarted play.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Teams may substitute only with the referee's permission and only at the following times (including overtimes): Substitutions shall be unlimited except where specified otherwise in the rules and regulations for a special competition. Substitutions may be made, with the consent of the referee, at any stoppage in play. (USYSA Rule 302)

INJURY TIME:

Referees will be instructed NOT to add time to a game except in the most extenuating of circumstances.

COACHING:

All Coaches have total responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes, friends and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one's own team on points of strategy and position) is permitted, provided:

No mechanical devices are used;

The tone of the voice is instructive and not derogatory;

Each coach or substitute remains within 10 yards on either side of the halfway line;

No coach, substitute, or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the referees, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators;

No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity or incites, in any manner, disruptive behavior.

CAUTIONS AND EJECTIONS:

A player or coach receiving two cautions (yellow cards) in a single game is considered to have been given an Ejection (red card) for the purposes of awarding point for the Tournament competition. A player who has been ejected (sent off) will not be replaced. A player or coach who has been ejected will not return for that game and must leave the field of play and will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. A player or coach who is ejected for violent conduct or serious foul play will not be allowed to participate in the next two scheduled games. Any player or coach who assaults a referee will be expelled from the Tournament. A team will be disqualified from the Tournament if any player or coach fails to comply with the provisions of this section. Cards for ejected players or coaches will be available from the Field Marshal after they have satisfied their penalty.

No points will be deducted for an ejection/red card.

SUSPENDED AND TERMINATED GAMES:

If in the opinion of the referee a game must be suspended (for reason), the game may be resumed, but is subject to being ended not less than five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the next game. If in the opinion of the referee, a game must be terminated for misconduct of players, bench coaches, or spectators; the offending team could be suspended from further play and will forfeit that game and all remaining games. All previous points earned remain as played. Additionally, the home league and State Association will be contacted as appropriate.

PROTESTS/DISPUTES:

No protests will be allowed and all games will be considered final. The Tournament Director will resolve any situation not explicitly covered by the rules. Disputes relating to the interpretation of these rules will be resolved with the Field Marshal and Administrators/Coaches that are registered with the involved team(s). Individuals may not represent a team if not registered as an Administrator/Coach with the involved team(s).

FORFEITS/BYES:

All teams who forfeit will have the game(s) scored as a 0-1 loss. The winner will be awarded eight (8) points (6 for the win; 1 for a goal and 1 for a shutout). If, at the discretion of the Tournament Director, a forfeit provides an unfair advantage, the Tournament Director may make an adjustment in the bracket. Teams forfeiting their first game will be assumed to forfeit all games unless they contact the Tournament Director at least 3 hours prior to their subsequent games. Teams will forfeit for any of the following reasons:

Teams fail to check in at the required location, ready to play five minutes before the scheduled kick off time

Home team fails to produce an alternate color jersey if referee determines there is a color conflict

Teams fail to produce laminated player passes and/or coach’s pass

Teams fail to report to the field with the minimum number of players required to start the game (Seven (7) for U10-U19)

Coach is ejected and fails to leave the field when directed to do so

Coach is ejected and there is no other coach or administrator available

Game is suspended due to the misconduct of players, coaches, administrators, parents or spectators. There will be no refunds to teams who forfeit their own games.

INCLEMENT WEATHER - UNEXPECTED TERMINATION OF PLAY INCLEMENT WEATHER:

Matches will be played in all weather conditions, unless the Center Referee or Tournament Director determines the conditions are dangerous and/or life threatening as per FIFA/USYSA regulations. The Tournament Committee will do everything in their control to make sure all matches are played, but if it is out of their control, the standings at that time will be final. No refunds will be given!﻿CONTINGENCY PLAN:Plan A: All matches will be played as scheduled.Plan B: Shorten all first-round matches to 15 minute halves.Plan C: Plan B plus shorten all second round matches the same.Plan D: Plan C plus shorten all third round matches the same.Plan E: In the event the fields become totally unplayable or the weather becomes a hazardous condition, it may be necessary to decide some matches with FIFA penalty kicks.

WITHDRAWAL AFTER DEADLINE:

Any withdrawal after the entry deadline of the tournament will be considered to a Late Withdrawal. The Entry Fee for a Late Withdrawal will be handled as follows: If a fully paid entry is found to replace the withdrawing team, the withdrawing team will receive a refund equivalent to their entry fee less a $100 processing fee. If a fully paid entry is not found to replace the withdrawing team, no amount of the Entry Fee will be refunded or credited. The Tournament Director assumes no duty or responsibility to find a replacement entry for a Late Withdrawal.

Scoring

SCORE REPORTING:

Upon completion of the match, the game card will be given to the Field Marshal. The Coach/Manager is responsible for picking up players passes after each match from the Field Marshals, and signing game card. Scores will be posted at the Tournament Headquarters and on GotSoccer.com upon receipt from the Field Marshal.

﻿SCORING POINT SYSTEM:

The 10-point system will be used for advancement.

Teams will be awarded points for qualifying matches based on the following:Six (6) points for each Win

Two (2) points for each Tie

Zero (0) points for each Loss

One (1) point for each goal scored up to a maximum of three (3) per game

One (1) point for each shut out

A 0-0 tie will be scored as 3 points for each team (2 for tie, 1 for shut out)﻿

*For a forfeited match, the winner will be credited with a 1-0 win and awarded (8) points (six for the win, one for the goal and one for the shut-out). A team abandoned by another team during a match will be awarded at least (8) points. The results of that match shall be based on the score at the time of the abandonment. A minimum of seven (7) players constitutes a game. Games should start at the given start time. In case the team does not have seven (7) players present, there will be a maximum of five (5) minutes grace period before awarding the game to the opponent.﻿﻿

TIE BREAKERS:

In the event of a tie in points at the end of bracket play; the teams to advance will be determined as follows:1. The winner in head to head competition.2. Fewest goals against (Max of 4 goals per game)3. Most goals for (Max of 4 goals per game)4. Most total wins5. Most shut outs6. If a tie still exists after steps 1 through 5, FIFA Penalty Kicks from the Mark will be taken thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled start of the appropriate Semi-Final game.

7. If a three-way tie exists within a bracket after steps 1 through 5, a three-way coin flip will be conducted. The teams that tie in the coin flip will compete in FIFA Penalty Kicks from the Mark to eliminate one team prior to proceeding to FIFA Penalty Kicks from the Mark with the third team. The coin flip and time of the FIFA Penalty Kicks will be 30 minutes prior to the Semi-Final games.8. If ties exist in the determination of a wild card team, criteria 2 through 7 will be applied.﻿

WILDCARDS:

A wild card team will not play a team within their same bracket in the semifinals.

OVERTIME - SEMIFINALS / FINALS:

If the game is tied at the end of regulation, two (2) five (5) minute overtime periods will be played, NO Golden Goal...If the game is still tied at the end of the over-time periods, the game will go straight to penalty kicks at that time.

FOUR TEAM DIVISION will consist of one (1) bracket of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) games. The team with the most point from the bracket will be the winner of the division.

SIX TEAM DIVISION will consist of two (2) brackets of three (3) teams. Each team will play the others in the opposite bracket for a total of three (3) games. The team with the most point from both brackets will be the winner of the division.

EIGHT TEAM DIVISION will consist of two (2) brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the others within its bracket for a total of three (3) games. The team with the most point from both brackets will be the winner of the division.

TWELVE TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of three (3) brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the teams within its bracket for a total of three (3) games. The team with the most point from all brackets will be the winner of the division.

SIXTEEN TEAM DIVISIONS will consist of four (4) brackets of four (4) teams. Each team will play the teams within its bracket for a total of three (3) games. The team with the most point from all brackets will be the winner of the division.